Sea trials and application of a numerical method for the analysis of the ocean current displacement phenomena of demersal longlines

Abstract In this study, a numerical method for the analysis of the sinking speed of demersal longlines was developed to obtain further insight into the ocean current displacement of demersal longlines. The sinking speed is one of the main factors affecting the extent of current displacement, which is the horizontal movement of longlines due to ocean currents. To improve the accuracy of the model, bait properties were investigated in a flume tank, and the resistance coefficients of full scale models based on different bait shapes, sizes and orientations were established. The numerical method was verified by full scale experiments conducted in the sea. In the theoretical analysis, the sinking speed of a Norwegian commercial longline was calculated. Current-related data of a common longlining area in Norway were obtained from the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and were used to calculate the ocean current displacement of a demersal longline. The results show the ocean current displacement of longlines, and make to expect a decrease in the fishing efficiency.